Although it will take the National Transportation Safety Board many months to conclude its investigation into the fatal crash of former Major League pitcher Roy Halladay’s Icon A5 on Tuesday afternoon, an eyewitness to the crash told Flying that the light sport amphibian was performing aggressive, low-level maneuvers that he described as “aerobatics” before it slammed into the water under controlled flight.
Eyewitness: Roy Halladay Was Performing ‘Aerobatics’ Before Fatal Crash
Key Takeaways:
- An eyewitness reported that former MLB pitcher Roy Halladay's Icon A5 was performing aggressive, low-level "aerobatics" including steep turns and dives before it fatally crashed into the water, failing to pull out of its final dive.
- Halladay was a relatively new pilot, having received his private pilot's license in recent years, although he had gained additional ratings and experience.
- The reported pre-crash maneuvers contrast with Icon's recently amended A5 training syllabus, which advises pilots to attempt only "benign" maneuvers below 300 feet.
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